More troops reunited with families

MANILA, Philippines — Members of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) who defeated the Islamic State-inspired Maute terrorists in Marawi City after five months of fighting returned to Manila yesterday to be with their families for Christmas.

More than 500 sailors, Marines and Seals of the Philippine Navy were welcomed as heroes by their spouses, children and parents.

The soldiers were honored in recognition of their heroism followed by a motorcade from Manila’s Pier 13 to the Marine Base at Fort Bonifacio in Taguig.

Members of the Fleet Marine contingent deployed in the Naval Forces Western Mindanao (NFWM) were also received by Philippine Navy Flag Officer In Command Vice Admiral Ronald Joseph Mercado during the ceremony.

Mercado said the gallant men and women of the Philippine Navy who fought in Marawi would be given much-needed rest.

“After this heroes’ welcome, we will be giving them a short break to be with their families,” he said. 

“They are in high spirits, having successfully completed their mission in Marawi City,” Mercado added.

He said the Philippine Navy alone suffered 36 casualties and over 300 injuries during the Marawi siege.

The Philippine Navy spent nearly P500 million in ammunition and fuel for its naval and delivery operations during the five-month Marawi siege.

Mercado said the battle for Marawi was costly.

In Zamboanga City, the military gave a heroes’ welcome to troops who were among the composite team that killed Isnilon Hapilon and Omar Maute.

The Fleet Marines and sailors were received by NFWM commander Rear Admiral Rene Medina and their families upon their arrival from Iligan City.

Western Mindanao Command chief Lt. Gen. Carlito Galvez Jr. also received the contingents of the Army Scout Ranger who were deployed in Marawi.

Galvez commended the soldiers for liberating Marawi from terrorists.

Families of the soldiers and civilians showered the Marawi troopers with confetti and balloons.

Thousands joined a symbolic prayer at the Marawi City hall to highlight its liberation from the Maute terrorists.

The event was led by Mayor Majul Gandamra, officials of the Lanao del Sur provincial government, Gov. Mujiv Hataman of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao and representatives from the Wesmincom.

Senators to visit Marawi

The government can rebuild the devastated Marawi into a model city of Mindanao with proper planning, sufficient funding and political will, Sen. Joseph Victor Ejercito said yesterday.

Ejercito, chairman of the Senate committee on urban planning and housing, said he and other members of the panel would visit Marawi along with experts to come up with a master plan to rebuild the city.

Joining them will be Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana, who leads the inter-agency task force on the rehabilitation of Marawi, architect and urban planner Felino Palafox Jr. and other experts. – With Roel Pareño, John Unson, Paolo Romero